Charity finances suffer from shoplifting plague

'WE'RE HERE TO RAISE MONEY - EVERY THEFT IS INCOME LOST'

- By RAY BONSALL

CHARITY shops in Merseyside are facing financial losses at the hands of shoplifters.

Some 564 instances of theft were reported to the police by charity shops in the 12 months to June this year, and that is far from being the full picture - with many more going unreported, according to charity insurer Ansvar Insurance.

The ECHO spoke to more shops who said they don't always report the crime, worrying it would not be worthwhile.

Susan Ryder is the store manager at Open Door, a charity shop run by homelessness charity The Whitechapel Centre. She says that the shop has previously lost up to £150 in a single theft with shoplifting being a frequent occurrence.

Ms Ryder said: "Sometimes it's individuals stealing the odd item, but sometimes groups come in and take a big amount which is more noticeable.

"We sell branded items that are donated new, like Hugo Boss and Nike, which are often stolen.